UN co-op sought to repatriate Afghan refugee
By Adnan Rafique

ISLAMABAD—Federal Minister for States and Frontier Regions Najmuddin Khan has called upon the international community to help repatriate two million Afghan Refugees from Pakistan as soon as possible which is a great burden on its economy.
He was talking to the Country Representative of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Ms. Guenet Gucber Christos who called on him here today and delivered a message of felicitations from UN High Commissioner for Refugees on assuming the charge of Ministry of SAFRON.
During the meeting matters pertaining to early repatriation of Afghan Refugees from Pakistan were discussed. The Minister said that 3.2 million Afghan refugees had so far been repatriated from Pakistan and 2 million refugees were looking for return to their homeland. He said that due to such large number of refugees in the country, it was not only affecting its economy but also creating law and order situation.
Mr. Najamuddin called International Community to provide employment opportunities to the skilled Afghan refugees in their respective countries so that they could earn their livelihood in a dignified way.
UNHCR’s Representative expressed gratitude to the Government of Pakistan for looking after two million Afghan refugees on humanitarian ground. She said that early repatriation of the Afghan refugees to their motherland would bring healthy socio-economic impact on both sides. Ms. Guenet Gucber Christos said that UNHCR would help to set up vocational training centers for standing them on their own feet.
Chief Commissioner, Afghan Refugees Mr. Abdul Rauf Khan and other senior officials of the Ministry SAFRON also attended the meeting. He said the prolonged stay of Afghan refugees is not only causing unemployment but also creating law and order situation in the country.
The Federal Minister said UNHCR should provide employment opportunities to refugees as it had been providing such opportunity in other countries to make them stand on their own feet.
UNHCR representative appreciated the services of the Government of Pakistan to facilitate and cooperate with the refugees on humanitarian basis.
She said UNHCR will soon open the training centre to provide training to the refugees. Senior official of the ministry were also present on the occasion.